Butler University Acceptance Rate
Indianapolis, Indiana · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 9,431
- Admitted
- 8,098
- Yield
- 14.2%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Butler University's acceptance rate has risen from 68.5% in 2014–15 to 85.9% in 2023–24. Applications fell from 10,103 to 9,431 (-7%) over that period.
Its 85.9% rate makes Butler University more selective than about 30% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 40 tracked Indiana schools, it is more selective than about 23%.
Butler University has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 14.2% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 10,103 | 6,917 | 68.5% | 972 |
| 2015–16 | 9,943 | 7,003 | 70.4% | 1,025 |
| 2016–17 | 12,937 | 9,406 | 72.7% | 1,256 |
| 2017–18 | 14,635 | 9,532 | 65.1% | 1,054 |
| 2018–19 | 16,418 | 11,137 | 67.8% | 1,326 |
| 2019–20 | 14,891 | 10,896 | 73.2% | 1,116 |
| 2020–21 | 14,592 | 11,045 | 75.7% | 1,104 |
| 2021–22 | 15,340 | 12,356 | 80.5% | 1,132 |
| 2022–23 | 13,386 | 10,985 | 82.1% | 1,200 |
| 2023–24 | 9,431 | 8,098 | 85.9% | 1,151 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 5,484 | 4,761 | 86.8% |
| Men | 3,945 | 3,336 | 84.6% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 590–680 | 35% |
| SAT Math | 590–680 | |
| ACT Composite | 26–31 | 20% |
How Butler University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Butler University's acceptance rate?
Butler University's acceptance rate is 85.9% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (8,098 admitted of 9,431 applicants).
Is Butler University test optional?
Butler University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Butler University?
Butler University received 9,431 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 8,098.
What SAT score do you need for Butler University?
Admitted students at Butler University typically scored 590–680 on SAT Reading/Writing and 590–680 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Butler University getting harder to get into?
Butler University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 68.5% in 2014–15 to 85.9% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.butler.edu/.